Choosing a wedding photographer or a family portrait photographer can be a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. Here we offer some valuable advice about what you should consider when making that choice.

Tip #1 Why can’t we all just get along!

All good photographers will try and capture the natural, real you in their images so it is important that you develop a natural affinity with your wedding or portrait photographer. You know fairly quickly on first impressions with people whether you are going to get along so go with your gut instinct – “am I going to have fun with this person?” is a question you should be asking yourself.

Tip #2 You get what you pay for

A truism very common in life and even more so in photography. Price should be ONE of the factors in your decision but not the over riding one. There are a lot of ‘amateur professional’s’ out there who will charge you next to nothing and deliver even less. Remember – you are stuck with the end results of your day so choose wisely.

Tip #3 But I want the deluxe package!

If you are on a budget you can always upgrade later – the key thing is to get the source images taken in the first place. Weddings are expensive things at the best of times so a good idea is to keep the end print & album quantities on the low side initially and then come back to the photographer when the wedding and honeymoon bills have been taken care of. I have often suggested this to clients who you can see are wrestling with the financial strain and the look of relief on their faces is often worth a picture in itself. A lot of people are unaware of this option. Be wary of any wedding photographer that tries to sell you into a package you cannot afford.

Tip #4 Plan Plan Plan…. then plan some more

Sitting down with your wedding or portrait photographer months before the event is an excellent idea as you will be surprised at what advice the seasoned professional can offer. Remember – these guys have been a major part of often hundreds of weddings and can give you invaluable tips on planning the day, timing various parts of the day and getting you more relaxed about the whole event. Forward planning also gives you time to work through those contingency plans that absolutely require forethought.

Tip #5 Think outside the box

We’ve all seen gazillions of pre-posed wedding photos that seem to simply document the day and record who turned up and what they were wearing, but you should be looking to capture those candid heartfelt moments where Dad slyly wipes a tear as his little girl gets given away, or the glance Grandma gives Grandpa as the vows take place and they move to hold hands remembering their special day all those years ago. Our desire as photographers is to capture your personality in the few hours we have with you so it is important to express yourself clearly to your photographer – tell them what you want and what your goals are.

In closing, I would say that it has been a real privilege to be part of so many couples special day, sure there is the stress of making sure you deliver given that you’ve only got one shot at it, but often taking that moment to reflect on why all the people are there in the first place is a humbling experience.

With so many different places around New Zealand to choose from, couples can find all types of dream wedding locations and great places to get married. Planning your wedding in Auckland is quite popular as you have access to a wide range of services including: florists, limousine companies, photographers, marriage celebrants or coordinators, catering companies and cake designers through to a huge selection of accommodation establishments.

You will also be within close access to some of New Zealand’s most frequented holiday spots located North of Auckland where the weather is warm, the beaches golden and the atmosphere perfect for honeymooners. Waiheke Island, a short 30 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, is another ideal spot where you can wave goodbye to your wedding guests at the end of the night and head toward the tropical paradise of Waiheke Island to relax and enjoy time with your partner.

When you consider having your wedding in Auckland, you need to plan carefully to ensure that you get everything taken care of. Many couples choose to have their ceremony somewhere different to the reception. This is common in Auckland as there are some magnificent inner city, seaside and park locations popular for celebrating weddings.

A few spots worth checking out include:

– Skycity
This inner city landmark has over 12 venues to select from with unbeatable views over the city and harbour.

– Hotel Function Rooms
There are dozens of hotel function and conference rooms available that offer specialised wedding packages with a range of room styles, menu options and the added bonus of guests being able to book rooms at the location as the reception.

– Public Parks
There are many spectacular courtyards and sunny garden open spaces available around Auckland city.

– Beaches
Auckland is the place to be if you are interested in a beach wedding. You can find over 50 beaches in and around Auckland, leaving you no shortage of options!

– Wineries
Auckland is home to many premier winery estates. If you are looking for privacy and elegance you should definitely take a look around the various local Auckland wineries.

No matter where you decide to celebrate your wedding in Auckland you can easily arrange for minivan or bus transportation from your accommodation / reception venue to the ceremony and back. This saves guests having to find their own way, particularly those not familiar with Auckland city.

Your wedding is your big day and although the planning can be quite intensive, you won’t be disappointed in deciding to have Auckland as your location.